Though it lacks some of the features of the Canon A75, I am presently leaning towards the FX1/FX5 due to its smaller size and unique image stabiliser. It is also meant to take above average nightshots.
Wondering if anyone here has any experiences with the above cameras?
Thanks. Jeremiah
Goodbye SR-LX MD-11 / 6th of March 1991 to the 31st of October 2004
L410Turbolet From Czech Republic, joined May 2004, 4574 posts, RR: 24 Reply 1, posted (5 years 2 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 407 times:
Jeremiah,
I have an Olympus C-750 myself, so I can't offer a direct experience with any of these. However, I've read in number of photgraphic magazines the recommendation to stick with traditional camera makers, since they seem to have more experience with making these toys.
I mean the Panasonic-Leica connection is tempting and since optics is essential to what makes good/bad camera, I'd narrow the range to Canon/Panasonic and try them "in natura" somewhere in store yourself to see what handling fits you better, etc. And then you might want to buy them online in some e-store.
BTW, shouldn't be this thread in Av Photography section instead??
Spacecadet From United States, joined Sep 2001, 2057 posts, RR: 19 Reply 3, posted (5 years 2 months 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 360 times:
Buy the Canon. You know, there used to be an old saying about IBM, which went "nobody ever got fired for buying IBM." That's the way it is with Canon and digital cameras.
Both the Panasonic and the Sony appear noisier than the Canon in the sample photos at Steve's, and I know this has always been the case with other Panasonic and Sony models compared to Canon as well. Canon's got the DIGIC processor which is not just marketing; it really does do good things. The Sony also has more purple fringing than average, and some barrel distortion in the lens, even according to that supposedly good review.
Neither the Panasonic nor the Sony seem to have a manual mode at all. For me, this would rule both cameras out right there. Manual on a point and shoot is not as important as it is on an SLR, because you have less of a range of exposure values available, but there will still be times you won't want to rely on auto-focus or auto-exposure to get your shots. The A75 has a full manual mode, as well as the usually more-convenient program, aperture priority and shutter priority modes - it basically has the modes you'd expect to find on an advanced amateur SLR.
I don't know how important it is to you but the A75 also uses CompactFlash, which means if you ever upgrade to a DSLR you can probably keep using the same memory card. If you never plan to upgrade, then it's not an issue, but it was an issue for me when I bought my A70.
I also would personally never buy any camera with a lens made by an electronics manufacturer rather than a camera/lens manufacturer. It does matter, as the comments at the end of Steve's Sony review show. Sony is experienced in making lenses for camcorders and other non-precision optical equipment; they're not experienced in making precision lenses for still cameras. Not as experienced as Canon or Leica, anyway. This on its own would narrow it down between the Canon and Panasonic for me, but with everything else in there I would (and did) only buy the Canon.
I take my A70 on trips with me all the time; it's a great camera, practically noise-free at 50 ISO. The A75 would just be that much better.
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